YOTELs First Micro-Concept Apartments Are Coming To Americas Largest Ski Resort

YOTEL’s first-ever micro-residences are set to break ground in Park City, Utah, in fall 2018. Culture Trip speaks to Replay Destinations, the developer behind the project, about its design concept.

International hotel brand YOTEL, in collaboration with Replay Destinations, is bringing 144 micro-concept condominiums to Canyons Village in Park City, Utah – now the largest ski resort in the country. Known for its ‘affordable luxury’ rooms, YOTEL plans to bring its smart designs to residential units, in its first-ever ‘for sale’ project. Dubbed YOTELPad, or simply PADS, the designs feature efficient interior planning (ie. tiny, smart rooms) with shared amenities designed for social gatherings throughout the property.

The new condos will be located at the base of the Park City mountain, roughly 32 miles (51 kilometers) east of Salt Lake City and 6,900 feet (2,103 meters) above sea level. The indoor and outdoor amenities – including a pool deck, several fire-pit areas, a lounge, games room, backyard terrace, and kids zone – are geared toward social experiences.

Living area, including Italian furniture company Clei’s full length sofa design

Layouts for the PADS range between 340 and 1,000 square foot. Currently 100 of the 144 PADS are under reservation and will go into contract by the end of August 2018.

“Replay was hired as a master developer for Canyon Village in Park City. Two mountain [resorts] were combined by Vail [Resorts] a couple years back, and now it is the largest ski resort in the United States. We’re there because we believe it’s a world-renowned ski destination,” says Patrick.

Replay Resorts’ first project in Canyon Village (which is currently under construction) consists of high-end, larger residences, priced between $700,000 and $3 million, but they wanted to do something a bit different: bring a mass-market, affordable product to Park City. “We’re taking this concept that’s been done in the high-priced urban markets like San Francisco, New York and Vancouver, and taking it to a [resort setting],” Patrick says.

Aimed at first-time buyers and entry-level investors, the micro-residence project targets those who want resort living, but cannot afford the cost that comes with it. Of the units currently offered, 70% are below $325,000, and prices start at $275,000.

“Our past knowledge and research was that people don’t spend a lot of time in their condo,” explains Patrick. “When you go to the mountains, you’re out skiing, mountain biking, hiking … You’re in the village having aprés ski or shopping. Since you don’t spend a lot of time in your condo, why are you spending all this money for a large two- or three-bed? That’s where the appeal comes in. It doesn’t make sense financially. So we focused our efforts on creating great social spaces.”

The groundbreaking for YOTELPads in Park City is expected in September 2018, with an anticipated opening date of spring 2020. YOTEL plans to expand its micro-concept residences to other global cities, including Dubai and the Geneva Lake region in Switzerland, as well as Miami.

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